Never judge an elliptical by it’s cover

School starts Wednesday. Where the heck did those 5 weeks go? I knew it would go fast, but uhh, that was ridiculous. While I didn’t accomplish nearly a fraction of what I planned to accomplish (super-mom here thought she was going to re-organize and make over the entire house while on vacation.) I am excited to go back. And my books, for once, didn’t cost me a small fortune. Just the equivalent of one car payment, no biggie. (insert sarcastic eyeball roll here)

Many, many, millions of kudos to you stay-at-home moms and dads. I honestly do not know how you do it. I love my kids more than life itself, but I think we all need a break from each other. It doesn’t help that the weather has been less than ideal for playing outside, so we’ve been cooped up in the house.

I promise it’s not me complaining about the weather again, it’s Kain. He cries whenever I take him outside for more than 2 minutes in anything under 50 degrees. Exhibit A, to your right. This is Kain refusing to walk on the playground. Temperature was about 44 that day. He just stops moving, like those poor frozen iguanas in Florida that can’t hang onto the tree branches. I feel for him (and the iguanas!)

Needless to say, we’ve been cooped up in the house, driving each other crazy. My kids have my genes, and they need to run wild. You can only do so many laps around the kitchen island. Combine that with a mommy who hasn’t gotten her exercise fix in 5 days and, well, you can imagine. The tension was so thick, you could cut it with Rowen’s safety scissors.

This morning I was eagerly shooed out of the house by all three boys, with the order to not come back until I was covered in sweat and full of those happy endorphins. Was it that obvious? Sorry boys! First stop was back to the exercise lab for the first time since early December. Today’s task included assisting and observing my very first bike VO2 max test. While the test went smoothly, it was highly anticlimactic. I don’t know what I was expecting. Maybe some grunting and neon blue sweat flying around, like on the Gatorade commercial? But alas, this was your average beginning spin class participant and not Lance Armstong. All went according to plan, and as always, I learned something new. I love this job and I’m so thankful for the experience!

Next stop: the gym. I compromised with my foot and made a date with the elliptical. I have spent maybe a total of 30 minutes on an elliptical in my entire life, spread out over 3 different days, maybe 5 years ago. Seriously, I’ve never been a fan. Besides, why use one when there are perfectly good treadmills around?

Well, today, running was NOT an option, according to my right foot. I gave the treadmills a lustful glance as I passed them, and hopped on the elliptical instead. And then proceeded to be a total elliptical dummy newbie. First, I didn’t know how to get the thing started. I stood up there pushing the buttons for the longest time, and nothing happened. Great, I picked the broken one. Fantastic. Just as I was about to hop off onto another one, it occurred to me that maybe I had to start moving first. Oh, haha. That’s right.I started the akward gazzelle-leaping-stride and the screen lit up. I picked a “cross training” program, and spent the next 5 minutes trying to remind my feet to stay on the darn pedals. This is not the treadmill my footy friends, stay put and do what you are told! After one near fall when my foot tried to jump off (seriously, who falls off of an elliptical?), the machine told me to “pedal backwards”. Umm…ok. Pedal backwards I did. And wouldn’t’ you know? It’s EASIER to go backwards? Who knew.

Before I knew it, 20 minutes had gone by and I realized I was actually enjoying myself. Maybe it was the episode of “True Life: I’m a video game nerd” (or something to that affect) that made the time go by, but it really wasn’t bad.Which of course made me think I was doing something wrong, haha. One hour, 8,893 strides, and 5.67 miles later (wow I’ve got a slow gazelle leap!) I was covered in sweat and full of that happy “I just worked out” feeling. I needed that.

Thank you elliptical. I take back every bad thing I ever said about you.

It’s a great alternative to running when you have certain injuries. If you get into a groove it kind of feels like flying. I don’t use mine often, but I love having it. It took my husband 2-3 yrs to even get on the thing. He thought it was ‘goofy’ and wouldn’t try it. Now he really likes it.

Oh, the elliptical is a nice little break for the joints. 🙂 Glad that you got your exercise fix! And I was watching the True Life episode…the guy that is obsessed with Power Rangers and had teeth worse than Austin Powers? Yeah….ok then. 🙂

I have been spending a little time on the Elliptical – don’t love it – but it is a good work out and easier on your feet.

I remember when my son’s were younger and they would refuse to walk / or move / or do whatever I wanted them to do. This too shall pass . . . enjoy them while they are young. Heck – enjoy them no matter what their age.

I used to be a gym rat before I got turned on to running and I was quite the elliptical professional. It can definitely be a good workout! (There is definitely a bit of awkwardness in the the stride, though.) Congrats on making it through and getting in your much needed happy sweat.

Last week I went to the gym and was shocked my how packed it was…all the new year resolutioners! The treadmills were all taken and I was on my way towards the elliptical heartbroken when someone hopped off a treadmill….yeah for me! Seriously though, although ellipticals are not my first choice for exercise, they are great for when I can’t run or need to switch things up a bit! Glad you got a good workout in! Ohh…and I got a BA in Exercise Science too! I loved it!

Granted, my daughter is only 8 months old and I am not having to chase her around yet, but I love being a stay at home mom! The moms I look up to are the ones that go to work every day. I am not strong enough to seperate myself from my child even for a few hours. 🙂

I bought a USED textbook yesterday…$140 ouch. And, who falls off the elliptical…me! jk, but it does sound like something I’d do.. and I have had my knee give out on me while striding on one of those things, which made me think I was gonna fall off! ha!

I have actually fallen of the elliptical once..well not all the way off but sort of halfway. I like it because I can read my trashy magazines like US Weekly on the elliptical. Hope the foot is healing!

I agree about the Elliptical…and I think different brands are completely different and can be completely different workouts. When I can’t run my favorite however is the Cybex cross trainer (based off cross country skiing). Question…how did you get the Team Fight Button?

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Meet Heather

I'm Heather, mom of two, ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, and an overzealous athlete who cannot focus on a single discipline, so I train for all of them at the same time. When in doubt, I run...and then write about it. Read More…

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